President Donald Trump has called on Republicans to add Iran to a pending sanctions bill targeting Russia, citing the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) support for the measure. The request comes amid heightened U.S. military strikes against Iran and a State Department warning of potential escalation.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Trump’s proposal, posted on Truth Social, urges Congress to amend the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026—a revised bipartisan bill introduced on July 16 with over 60 cosponsors—to include Iran. The original bill, introduced by Graham in April 2025, stalled in committee. Trump did not specify the sanctions he seeks but referenced Graham’s intent to include Iran.
Deeper Dive & Context
Escalating Tensions
Trump’s call follows a week of U.S. military strikes against Iran, including retaliatory attacks after Iranian strikes in Jordan killed two American service members. The State Department issued a global travel alert, warning of potential Iranian-backed threats to U.S. interests.
Legislative Context
The revised sanctions bill, introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Darline Graham (R-S.C.), honors the late senator’s legacy. While the executive branch has imposed sanctions on Iran—including recent Treasury Department actions against Iranian financial networks—the bill would codify congressional support for expanded measures.
Political Reactions
Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) endorsed Trump’s proposal, framing Iran and Russia as shared threats. Cotton plans to introduce legislation extending the Iran Sanctions Act permanently, while Scott supports making Iran sanctions permanent.
Existing Sanctions
The U.S. already enforces extensive sanctions on Iran, targeting sectors like energy, finance, and defense. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has imposed new sanctions in recent weeks, including measures against Iranian financier Ali Ansari and exchange houses facilitating illicit financial activity.